On Thursday, President Donald Trump hosted the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the White House to finalize a peace and economic agreement. The event, held at the newly named Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, was presented as a major diplomatic achievement, despite the continuing violence in eastern DRC.
Trump Hosts Kagame & Tshisekedi
Trump welcomed Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, touting the deal as a major stride toward stability in the Great Lakes region. The accord was meant to spur peace but also to pave the way for regional economic integration and resource development a process that would unlock access to key minerals required for technology and electric vehicles.
Violence Continues on the Ground
Fighting continued unabated across eastern DRC, however. The M23 armed group, which is allegedly supported by Rwanda, pressed its attacks around Kaziba and other towns in South Kivu province, according to local officials including bombings, house burnings and casualties.
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AFP journalists reported the sound of gunfire and shelling close to the borders with Rwanda and Burundi, in sharp contrast to the diplomatic optics in Washington.
Strategic & Economic Interests
A major factor motivating U.S. interest is access to the mineral wealth of DRC, including cobalt and copper, key components for electric vehicles and other new technologies. Trump has touted the agreement as historic, but Congolese officials argue that economic cooperation cannot move forward without actual peace on the ground.
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The conditional removal of Rwandan defensive measures would have to involve neutralizing the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, or FDLR.
Complexities of Regional Peace
Historically, there has been tension between the DRC and Rwanda, tracing to decades of conflict. The June ceasefire between Kinshasa and M23 was several times violated, and accusations of slow compliance have heightened mistrust.
Trump’s administration also looks forward to leveraging the deal into a more comprehensive set of U.S. policies on migration and trade, analysts say the road to lasting peace is fraught with uncertainty.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on available reports; situations in DRC may change rapidly and details of ongoing conflicts are subject to verification.
